fountain
/ˈfaʊntən/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfaʊntn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfau̇n-tᵊn/ (ame, mw)
fountain — noun
1. A structure built in a public area, garden, or pool that pushes water upward thr
A structure built in a public area, garden, or pool that pushes water upward through pipes, creating a spray or stream that people find pleasant to look at.
The children threw coins into the fountain and made wishes.
Hassan sat by a marble fountain and watched the water sparkle in the sun.
common collocations: marble fountain / town square fountain
A drinking fountain shoots water upward so you can drink without using a cup.
Workers turned off the park fountain for winter to stop the pipes from freezing.
The stone fountain in the university courtyard had three brass dolphins spouting water.
- water feature
a broader term that includes fountains, ponds, and waterfalls in gardens
- spout
focuses on the pipe or opening the water comes out of, not the whole structure
用法筆記
Often used in compounds: 'drinking fountain' (a public tap for drinking water) and 'water fountain' (a decorative or drinking fixture). The decorative type is commonly found in parks, plazas, and gardens.
常見錯誤
2. A person, thing, or place that provides a large and steady amount of something v
A person, thing, or place that provides a large and steady amount of something valuable, such as knowledge, ideas, inspiration, or comfort.
Grandma Rosa was a fountain of stories about growing up in the countryside.
pattern: a fountain of [abstract noun]
Museums are fountains of inspiration for artists who visit them regularly.
The library's old letters proved to be a fountain of information for the historian.
Liam found his grandfather's workshop to be a fountain of creative ideas for building furniture.
The Internet can be a fountain of knowledge, but it also spreads false information.
- wellspring
more literary and dramatic; suggests a deep, inexhaustible supply
- fount
formal or literary; often used interchangeably with 'fountain' in this abstract sense
- source
the most neutral and common word; less vivid than 'fountain'
文法句型
a fountain of + [abstract noun]
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'of' and an abstract noun (knowledge, ideas, wisdom, inspiration, stories). The concrete sense (fountain/1) and this abstract sense are visually and logically connected: a fountain sends out a continuous stream — so does a 'fountain of knowledge.'
常見錯誤
3. A place where water rises to the surface of the earth naturally, without any pum
A place where water rises to the surface of the earth naturally, without any pump or machinery.
Apinya filled her bottle at the natural fountain that bubbled up from between the rocks.
collocation: natural fountain
The ancient town was built around a hot fountain that supplied warm water all year.
Hikers drank from a small fountain of cold water that flowed out of the cliff.
Local farmers rely on the mountain fountain for water during the dry season.
- spring
the standard modern word for natural groundwater rising to the surface
- wellspring
literary; a spring that is the source of a stream
用法筆記
This sense is older — historically 'fountain' referred to any natural spring before it was used for decorative structures. In modern English, it is less common than senses 1 or 2, and 'spring' is the more usual word for a natural water source. 'Natural fountain' is sometimes used to clarify that a spring (not a man-made structure) is meant.
常見錯誤
fountain — verb
1. (Of a liquid, gas, or light) to shoot upward or outward in a forceful, continuou
(Of a liquid, gas, or light) to shoot upward or outward in a forceful, continuous stream, like water from a fountain.
Water fountained up from the broken pipe on the street corner.
intransitive pattern: water + fountains + up/out
Champagne fountained out of the bottle when Eitan popped the cork too quickly.
Bright light fountained through the gaps in the old wooden shutters.
Hot steam fountained from the crack in the pavement near the broken pipe.
文法句型
[liquid/gas/light] + fountains + [adverb/preposition]
用法筆記
This verb is quite literary or formal. In everyday speech, 'gush', 'spurt', or 'shoot' are more common. The past tense is 'fountained' (regular). Often used with 'up', 'out', 'from', or 'out of' to show direction.
常見錯誤
2. To cause a liquid, gas, or substance to shoot or pour outward or upward in a str
To cause a liquid, gas, or substance to shoot or pour outward or upward in a strong, steady stream.
The whale fountained a stream of seawater high into the air above the ocean.
transitive pattern: whale fountains [object]
The damaged fire hydrant fountained water across the street.
A crack in the dam fountained muddy water for hours before workers repaired it.
The fireworks fountained sparks in every direction across the night sky.
文法句型
[subject] + fountains + [liquid/gas/substance]
用法筆記
This transitive use is even rarer than verb/1. It is mostly found in descriptive or literary writing. In the example 'the fireworks fountained sparks,' the verb captures both the upward motion and the spreading pattern typical of a fountain.